Magic rumors: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs contracts a problem for young star

The Orlando Magic suffered a crushing seven-game playoff defeat to the Detroit Pistons last season, and Marc Stein of The Stein Line says their future will be in the spotlight this season. Magic guard Anthony Black is unlikely to get a contract extension. The lack of one seems to be because Orlando is already committed to several of its key veteran rotational pieces.

"The Stein Line has been advised by sources briefed on the situation to classify an extension for Magic swingman Anthony Black as unlikely at this current juncture," Stein wrote. "Sources say that the sides have not engaged in any meaningful extension dialogue to date — not during the offseason or even since training camps began — because the Magic have concerns about the long-term financial obligations they have already stacked up by signing Jalen Suggs to a lucrative extension in addition to frontcourt stalwarts Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and summer of 2025 marquee trade acquisition Desmond Bane."

Stein also reports that the Magic front office wants to bring the majority of the playoff roster back, which could pose issues for Black.

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"Orlando lead executive Jeff Weltman has largely taken a run-it-back approach with the roster, knowing deep down that keeping both Suggs and Black is challenging (to put it mildly) financially. The big offseason change: Installing Sean Sweeney as the new head coach. All of which means Black, barring a shift in the state of negotiations over the next week-plus, could well have to face restricted free agency next summer despite his rising stature."

In his report on players eligible for rookie-scale contract extensions last week, ClutchPoints senior NBA insider Brett Siegel foresaw that Orlando's payment obligations could complicate Black's extension talks.

"Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs account for roughly $161 million in payroll for the 2027-28 season. Add Wendell Carter Jr.'s $19.5 million, and the Magic now have a payroll exceeding $180 million between their starting five.

Siegel also pointed to a way Black could ink an extension that could make both parties happy.

This makes things difficult for Black in terms of a new extension, but the team could very well look to extend him on a similar value to that of Carter, around 12% of the total cap. Doing so would reward Black long-term while also giving the Magic options to keep this core together if the organization is open to paying luxury taxes. It is definitely possible that the two sides wait until next offseason when Black is a restricted free agent to get a deal done, but it would be advantageous to lock him in long-term now."